FOR most people curtsying to your grandmother wouldn't be an issue, but for Zara Phillips it's the norm.

As the Queen's granddaughter, the 27-year-old has revealed she still observes the etiquette.

But she says most people are ignorant of the basic rules.

Despite being hailed the 'modern face' of the Royal family, Zara says few people fully appreciate its importance.

Last year she was observed jokingly showing others how to correctly bend at the knee as she waited to receive her MBE at Buckingham Palace.

The 12th in line to the throne, who lives in Gatcombe Park, told Majesty magazine: "She's still my grandmother and she's very approachable, but she's also from an era when that was how it was done.

"But there aren't many people who know how it's done. I know because I've grown up with it."

For many the issue of 'to curtsy or not to curtsy' has long been seen as a barometer of loyalty to the Crown.

Former Prime Minister's wife Cherie Blair was criticised when she failed to curtsy to the Queen and for wearing a trouser suit on her first visit to Balmoral in 1997.

The Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, Henry Elwes, said all female members of the Royal family paid their respects in this manner.

He said: "They all do it. It's something they've grown up with.

"I've often given people advice on the issue of what to do when meeting the Queen - there are some frequently asked questions like do I need to wear a hat and gloves.

"It's normal for to curtsy if they're comfortable with it and if they're not for whatever reason, it's in order to put out a hand and bow the head a little.

"The last thing we want is to have to pick people up off the floor if it's far too difficult for them to curtsy and we wouldn't expect workers receiving a visit from the Queen to start curtsying - it just wouldn't be necessary."